Journal of International Reproductive Health/Family Planning ›› 2022, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (1): 57-61.doi: 10.12280/gjszjk.20210435

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Research Progress on the Mechanism of Intrauterine Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus

YUAN Li-chao, QU Zu, BAI Xiao-xia()   

  1. The Women′s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, China
  • Received:2021-09-16 Published:2022-01-15 Online:2022-02-17
  • Contact: BAI Xiao-xia E-mail:baixiaoxia@zju.edu.cn

Abstract:

More than 50% of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are transmitted from mother to child, and more than 90% of perinatal HBV infections develop into chronic carriers with a higher risk of cirrhosis and/or liver cancer. Intrauterine infection is the main cause of mother-to-child transmission of HBV due to the failure of combined immunization with hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immunoglobulin. HBV intrauterine infection includes four ways: germ cell infection, transplacental barrier leakage, transplacental cell infection and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC). HBV can infect and cross all cellular layers of the placental barrier, especially the trophoblast layer. HBV traverses trophoblast cells through intracellular vesicle transport system. A variety of cytokines such as interleukin can regulate HBV infection of trophoblast cells. HBV induces the activation of PI3K/pAKT and Smad signaling pathways and EGFR/AKT signaling pathways of trophoblast cells, and then reduces apoptosis, thereby increasing the risk of HBV mother-to-child transmission. Pregnant women with HBV-DNA>2×105 IU/L may take tenofovir orally after 24-28 weeks of pregnancy, so as to reduce the risk of HBV mother-to-child transmission.

Key words: Hepatitis B virus, Infectious disease transmission,vertical, Signal transduction, Cytokines, Antiviral therapy